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Editorial: Working on homelessness

Finally, effort in Sarasota County begins in earnest

Published: Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at 1:00 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 at 7:56 p.m.

Robert Marbut is in Sarasota County and working, under contract with local governments, to create a strategic action plan to reduce homelessness.

Finally.

Marbut -- a nationally recognized expert in preventing homelessness and mitigating its impacts -- was identified months ago as someone with the expertise and fortitude to help Sarasota County and its cities -- and their communities -- move from paralysis to action.

Yet, due to bureaucratic and other delays, he didn't sign a contract with the city and county of Sarasota until last week.

Nevertheless, Marbut mobilized quickly. On Monday and Tuesday, he met with nearly all the major social-service providers who deal with homeless people in Sarasota County, as well as law enforcement officers and government officials.

Marbut told the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board that he has been received with enthusiasm and, in general, open minds -- encouraging signs that individuals and organizations are ready to collaboratively pursue and implement comprehensive, countywide strategies and actions.

Sarasota Salvation Army officials said they were unable to meet this week with Marbut, but pledged to do so in the future. We hope the Salvation Army will expedite such a meeting: The organization's existing homeless services are vital, and its plans for the future should be part of a communitywide strategy. What's more, since the Salvation Army doesn't do it all, the gaps in services and shelter must be identified -- a task for Marbut -- and subsequently filled.

Marbut meets today with the executive committee of the Community Alliance. The alliance is an open-membership collection of social-service providers and funders; its members recently expressed overwhelming support to hire Marbut, another positive demonstration of community consensus.

Another encouraging sign: Marbut said that, at this early point in the process, he has received more offers of support and ideas for making progress from Sarasota County residents and groups than in any other community in which he has been a consultant.

Despite what Marbut has described as first-rate prevention efforts in Sarasota County, problems associated with homelessness -- in its many forms -- have intensified in recent years.

The community has needed the kind of insight that Marbut provides, so it's good to see recognition of that need and momentum behind this effort. Soon the question will be: Is there the political will to act?

The contract calls for Marbut to develop -- within four months -- "a strategic action plan to improve the efficiency and organization of homeless-services providers, including recommending new facilities and programs if needed." He told us that he hopes to have a preliminary plan prepared within 45 days, so it can be vetted -- before final decisions are near -- by service providers, government leaders and the public.

Much of the public discussion about reducing the number of homeless people in Sarasota County has focused on the potential for a new shelter, designed to take anyone who doesn't qualify for (or want to utilize) other facilities or programs. Concern is understandable: Marbut recommended a new shelter in Pinellas, to complement other providers; such facilities have impacts on neighbors and the budgets of governments and social-service providers.

Yet a north Sarasota shelter for chronically homeless people is likely to be only one component of the eventual plan. Marbut cited the need for family shelters in both north and south Sarasota County. He will probably recommend that law enforcement agencies hire specialized caseworkers. He will undoubtedly discover gaps in services, such as mental-health care, and underscore the need for housing that people ready to move out of shelter can afford.

In sum, after Marbut's plan is done, the community's job will be just beginning -- and there will be plenty of work to go around.

<p>Robert Marbut is in Sarasota County and working, under contract with local governments, to create a strategic action plan to reduce homelessness.</p><p>Finally.</p><p>Marbut -- a nationally recognized expert in preventing homelessness and mitigating its impacts -- was identified months ago as someone with the expertise and fortitude to help Sarasota County and its cities -- and their communities -- move from paralysis to action.</p><p>Yet, due to bureaucratic and other delays, he didn't sign a contract with the city and county of Sarasota until last week.</p><p>Nevertheless, Marbut mobilized quickly. On Monday and Tuesday, he met with nearly all the major social-service providers who deal with homeless people in Sarasota County, as well as law enforcement officers and government officials.</p><p>Marbut told the Herald-Tribune Editorial Board that he has been received with enthusiasm and, in general, open minds -- encouraging signs that individuals and organizations are ready to collaboratively pursue and implement comprehensive, countywide strategies and actions.</p><p>Sarasota Salvation Army officials said they were unable to meet this week with Marbut, but pledged to do so in the future. We hope the Salvation Army will expedite such a meeting: The organization's existing homeless services are vital, and its plans for the future should be part of a communitywide strategy. What's more, since the Salvation Army doesn't do it all, the gaps in services and shelter must be identified -- a task for Marbut -- and subsequently filled.</p><p>Marbut meets today with the executive committee of the Community Alliance. The alliance is an open-membership collection of social-service providers and funders; its members recently expressed overwhelming support to hire Marbut, another positive demonstration of community consensus.</p><p>Another encouraging sign: Marbut said that, at this early point in the process, he has received more offers of support and ideas for making progress from Sarasota County residents and groups than in any other community in which he has been a consultant.</p><p>Despite what Marbut has described as first-rate prevention efforts in Sarasota County, problems associated with homelessness -- in its many forms -- have intensified in recent years.</p><p>The community has needed the kind of insight that Marbut provides, so it's good to see recognition of that need and momentum behind this effort. Soon the question will be: Is there the political will to act?</p><p>The contract calls for Marbut to develop -- within four months -- "a strategic action plan to improve the efficiency and organization of homeless-services providers, including recommending new facilities and programs if needed." He told us that he hopes to have a preliminary plan prepared within 45 days, so it can be vetted -- before final decisions are near -- by service providers, government leaders and the public.</p><p>Much of the public discussion about reducing the number of homeless people in Sarasota County has focused on the potential for a new shelter, designed to take anyone who doesn't qualify for (or want to utilize) other facilities or programs. Concern is understandable: Marbut recommended a new shelter in Pinellas, to complement other providers; such facilities have impacts on neighbors and the budgets of governments and social-service providers.</p><p>Yet a north Sarasota shelter for chronically homeless people is likely to be only one component of the eventual plan. Marbut cited the need for family shelters in both north and south Sarasota County. He will probably recommend that law enforcement agencies hire specialized caseworkers. He will undoubtedly discover gaps in services, such as mental-health care, and underscore the need for housing that people ready to move out of shelter can afford.</p><p>In sum, after Marbut's plan is done, the community's job will be just beginning -- and there will be plenty of work to go around.</p>